Baie de Baly National Park

This relatively new National Park is across the bay from Soalala, occupying the better part of the northwest peninsula and extending east across the bay to Cap Sada.

It protects a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems: mangrove forests, coastal dunes rivers, permanent lakes and dense dry semi - deciduous forests.



The idyllic coastal villages surrounding the park offer visitors a glimpse into the Sakalava way of life.

Bemosary, Maroalika and Batainomby feature the most attractive white-sand beaches on the peninsula.

Camping is permitted, but there are no facilities.

The two must-see inhabitants of the park are the ploughshare tortoise, endemic to the park, and the very rare Madagascar fish eagle.



Baie de Baly also hosts a large community of migratory birds including the greater flamingo.
Dolphins have also been known to trail the outgoing boat traffic.

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Soalala

Only a handful of adventurous travellers come to Soalala, but this fascinating port is gaining importance as the gateway town to Tsingy de Namoroka and Baie de Baly national parks.

There are several very large African baobabs and impressive pachypodiums.
It was previously a French fort and at least two ancient cannons can be seen on the seafront.



There are also many good eating places.
Across the bay is a massive French shrimp farm, Chez la Mere de Nadia; the owner also provides a guide ervice and can organise all-in tours locally, including a 4x4 with air conditioning.



Or you could camp in the quiet area near the beachfront.

Soalala has an airstrip served by Air Mad from Mahajanga or Tana about four times a week.
Taxi-brousses from Katsepy go to Soalala a few times week.
By 4x4 it takes about nine hours, but the road is only passable from May to November.
Alternatively, the boutres (cargo boats) from Mahajanga frequently call at Soalala.

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Mahavavy - Kinkony Wetland Complex (2)

In the Tsiombikibo Classified Forest, near Mitsinjo, are several small beautiful ponds which are the refuge of white-backed ducks and African pygmy geese.

Mitsinjo is the capital of the district but the gateway town is Namakia.



It is a tough place to access independently .
The port of Namakia may be reached in five or six hours by motorboat from Mahajanga but the sea is usually quite rough.
Alternatively, from Katsepy it is three to four hours drive, but the road beyond Mitsinjo is in poor condition and closed during the rainy season.



The town of Mitsinjo has some very basic accommodation and camping is possible too.
The best option in Namakia is La Cercle, with budget and mid-range rooms.

Contact Asity for the latest information on places to camp.

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Mahavavy-Kinkony Wetland Complex (1)

With backing from the NGO BirdLife International (www.birdlife.org) and Asity (www.asitymadagascar.org) this wetland area received protected status in 2007.

The two dozen interconnected lakes, river, delta, bays, marshland, mangroves, forest, savanna and caves included in the 268,236ha reserve form a haven for birders and other wildlife enthusiast.



The wide variety of ecosystems here leads to extraordinary biodiversity, with plenty of fauna: nine species of lemur, including crowned and Decken's sifakas and the mongoose lemur, a similar number of bats, a host of reptiles and, of course, fish.



But it is the birds that cause the most excitement: 143 species.
And this is the only site where all of the Malagasy western waterfowl species may be seen.
July to September are the best months for seeing breeding birds.

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